Victoria Park Community Cricket League

VICTORIA PARK COMMUNITY CRICKET LEAGUE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday 8 March 2007

At The Royal Inn on the Park
111 Lauriston Road E9 7HJ

Meeting started at 6:30 p.m.

Present:

Bert Vandermark (President)

Mick Reid (Chairman)

Rose & Crown

Tim Castle (Secretary)

Old Fallopians

Peter Hollman (Fixtures)

Pacific

Nigel Richards (Treasurer)

Victoria Lounge

Steve Hill (Committee)

Island Community

Mafijur Rab (Committee)

Vallance/Vallance Bow

Rizwan Siddiqui (Committee)

Sky

Paul Williams (Committee)

Tower Ravens

Red Saunders

Caledonian Conquerors

Sajid Rehman

Caledonian Conquerors

Paul Dunphy

Central London

Gary Horsman

Chats Palace

Ajay Gosai

Darji

Dipak Gosai

Darji

Stefan Proud

Fives

Stan Foley

Fives

Carlton Boulter

Hendon & Edgware

Tanjeem Chowdhury

Island Community

Sakib Khaliq

Masiha

Adnan Ali

Masiha

Zaved Salehin

New Boys

Mohommad Abdullah

New Boys

Martin Berry

Norfolk & Chance

Vimal Datta

Norfolk & Chance

Kash Akram

Norfolk & Chance

Philip Barrass

Old Fallopians

Jonathan Stebbins

Old Fallopians

Shane Rees

Pacific

Iain Heaphy

Rose & Crown

Rob Waugh

Tower Cavaliers

Alkesh Solanki

Tower Cavaliers

Michael Biggs

Tower Ravens

Alastair Dunning

Victoria Lounge

John Challinor

Victoria Park Juniors

Mark Laurie

Victoria Park Juniors

Colin Michael

Rita Vandermark

1 – Apologies

Terry Prescod

East End Cavaliers

2 – The minutes of the 2006 AGM were approved

2a - Matters arising
- Toilets at Victoria Park. Steve Hill did approach Tower Hamlets council about
this, they acknowledged there was a problem with facilities and said it would be
addressed in future. Steve will try again with the new head of parks. Gary
Horsman asked whether the toilets were part of the pitch hire.

iv) There may still be fees due in respect of matches cancelled at late
notice.

2. Creditors - Total £150 approx

i) Further Trophies may be required plus engraving - £50 approx

ii) Highgate are owed £11 refund of cup fees in 2005

3. Other Notes

i) Pitches for 2006 paid in full.

ii) Bank Interest stopped in lieu of bank charges

4. Pitches pa

2007-08

2006-07

2005-06

2004-05

2003-04

2002-03

160 est.

151

130

102

106

ca. 100

The reporr was accepted by the meeting, proposed by Ian Charlton and seconded
by Steve Hill
A vote of thanks to the treasurer was proposed by Gary Horsman and seconded by
Philip Barrass

5 - Secretary's report (Tim Castle)

The secretary repeated his message from last year. The league in 2007 will
grow to 22 teams, double its size from 2001. That needs a clear division of
labours among committee members, as well as teams doing all they can to avoid
unnecessary disuputes over match decisions and results.

Last season's proposed commitee responsibilities appeared to have worked
well, as did the new disputes procedure - which worked so well that no disputes
had to be resolved by the committee. Both these measures would be proposed as
formal rule changes later in the meeting.

He also reminded teams of the format to send their results, and would be
proposing later in the meeting a points penalty for late results notification.

As a minimum, they should give scores and wickets, as well as best batting
and bowling, eg

Last year the league structure continued in the same vein it has since 2004
whereby initially 2 groups or conferences were created & populated evenly based
on the 2005 final positions. With the potential increase in teams this year the
format is being adjusted to 4 conferences of 8 teams followed by 4 divisions of
6 in the 2nd half of the season. The make up of the conferences will again be
based on 2006 final places with new teams divided across them. To anyone new to
the League or unclear, you may recognise the format as that used in this year’s
world cup super eights.

In 2006 there were several new clubs & as this looks like continuing this year.
Consequently, the format remains strong in essence in particular for the new
clubs as they find their level. Additionally, established clubs whose level
fluctuates depending on individual player availability will also find the format
will suit. I therefore strongly endorse that the structure remains in place.

Tim Castle has already circulated a 24 team draft which you will have received.
Teams will get at least 7 1st phase matches & a further 4 2nd phase + at least 1
cup matche meaning a minimum of 12 matches per team. This year I have had to
further factor in longer youth sessions which we must avoid so no Thursdays on
pitches 1 & 2 although I have scheduled in some games in high Summer & these
will have to be 7pm start. I have growing concerns as the Juniors eat further
into our available fixture times & coupled with the state of pitch 2, we need to
seriously look at playing off site. I would advocate usage of satellite grounds
in adjacent boroughs ie Millfields, Hackney Downs, Wray Crescent & Millwall. I
would urge teams who are prepared to do so to make themselves known to me
tonight along with the venues that they are happy to play at. I.e. Pacific are
prepared to play all their conference matches at Wray Crescent however only
those teams in Pacific’s group who are happy to play there will be scheduled
there. All being well the teams who do not wish to travel can be fully
accommodated.

I would take this opportunity to remind teams to take it upon themselves to
cross-reference the fixtures once circulated which they are given by me against
those published on the website. Any inconsistency should be flagged to me ASAP.
Please remember that this final responsibility lies with the team representative
or Captain.

Last year I tried as much as possible to spread the games across the 4 days of
the week & the 3 available pitches across all the teams. Interestingly, this
wasn’t always possible & London Fields who were new, expressed their gratitude
setting them up with games on consecutive Tuesdays as it gave them regularity &
continuity. Nice one but sorry chaps but that was a fluke. If teams do wish to
avoid particular nights or wish to play on particular nights then if possible
I’ll factor this in. This will of course be simpler still for the teams who opt
to play off site.

Apart from London Fields I did not get much other feedback which I’d like to
assume therefore, that everyone was comparatively happy. If you do have any
issues then please let me know at peterhollman.pacificcc@virgin.net by the end
of this weekend as I believe I need to re-draft the fixtures & I’m sure everyone
will want the final draft ASAP

Stats Corner:-

The 2006 season saw 158 (140 in 2006) games scheduled including re-arranged cup
matches.

We were lucky with the weather & also there was a determination by teams to play
in all conditions. Only 5 games were rained off & 1 more abandoned due to bad
light so well done to all the Captains. Hopefully, the 2 skippers caught out
will sort themselves out this year.

Finally, many thanks to all teams who took part last season, to the new teams
who gelled so well. The lack of arbitration needed, excellent conduct, positive
attitude & approach by teams should not go un-noted.

I do hope that you all had good seasons & enjoyed the format but as ever, I do
welcome any constructive criticism either before or during the season in the
event that I should be re-elected.

------

There was some discussion after Peter's report over whether teams preferred
to play all their games on the same day each week or on different days. Peter
Hollman noted that teams would have two weeks after the publication of the draft
fixtures to ask for changes. The possibility was also raised of playing some
games on Fridays. The Victoria Park Juniors said they would at most be only
using one pitch on Fridays for matches.

Peter Hollman said he would like to hear from any teams prepared to play away
from Victoria Park to ease the fixture congestion. Mark Laurie noted that the
surface had been damaged at Hackney Downs but the wicket at Millfields was fine
and he believed was not being booked midweek.

The fixture secretary's proposed league structure for 2007 was accepted by
the meeting, seconded by Steve Hill.

7 - The following four teams were elected to the league:
-- Tower Cavaliers
Rob Waugh said the team, which has played twice in the Cup, is formed mainly
from staff at Tower Hamlet Council's Environmental Health department and
contains a number of Australian and South African players. They don't play at
weekends
-- Central London
Paul Dunphy said the team plays on Sundays at St John's Wood and has a squad of
around 20 players aged between 16 and 30+. It has already played a couple of
games against Island Community and plays friendlies at Regent's Park.
-- Hendon & Edgware
Carlton Boulter said most of the team are local to the Victoria Park area and
work in central London. They have around 60 players signed up, aged 16 to 62.
They won the wooden spoon in two of the Middlesex Leagues last year and play at
Mill Hill Park where the club, founded in 1927, has its own club house. Many of
their players have been recruited from the Gumtree website.
-- New Boys
Zaved Salehin said they were a new team formed from friends who had played for
their university sides and practised at the Victoria Park nets. Now they had
left university they had decided to form their own team.

All teams were accepted by the meeting, proposed by Alastair Dunning and
seconded by Steve Hill.

8 - Motions

8.1 - Divisonal structure

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - Amend Rule 1 to "The league will be played in the
divisional structure agreed at the
annual AGM."
(Note: This makes Rule 1 conform with recent practice - it
currently reads "The League will comprise of
two divisions in which each team will play the others twice. Movement between
the divisions on the basis of two up, two
down will occur provided the promotion elegible teams wish it.")

Gary Horsman seconded - passed unanimously.

8.2 Disputes

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - Add the following as a League rule:
There are no independent umpires so disputes should be avoided. Captains should resolve
between them any disputes that do arise
in the spirit of the game.
Trying to sort out disputes after a match is extremely time consuming and
generally a fruitless exercise.
If captains feel they must bring a dispute to the attention of the committee,
the procedure will be as follows:
1 – Contact secretary with details
2 – Secretary will nominate two committee members to investigate the complaint
3 – The two committee members will report back within seven days to the chairman
with their recommendation
4 – Chairman will either accept the recommendation or make an alternative
ruling. Secretary will inform captains
concerned of the decision, which will be final and not subject to appeal.
(Note: this was suggested by the secretary as a way of working at last year's
AGM.)

Ian Charlton seconded - passed unanimously

8.3 Duties of officers

(Amends Constitutional Rule 3: "The Officers of the League shall consist of the
President, Chairperson, Honorary
Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Fixtures Secretary "

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - Incorporate following role definitions into
Constitutional Rule 3:
Chairman: Final arbiter in disputes and other issues.
Secretary/webmaster: First point of contact, runs website, collates results,
maintains contacts list, delegates dispute
resolution to other committee members, books venue for AGM.
Fixtures Secretary: Draws up fixtures, books pitches, handles rearrangement of
fixtures (especially cup games).
Treasurer: All financial matters, pays council and other suppliers, responsible
for collecting fees and fines.
Non-executive members: Dispute resolution and other ad hoc duties.
(Note: These roles were suggested at the last AGM by the secretary and appeared
to have worked well over the last
year)

Seconded by Steve Hill - passed unanimously.

8.4 State of wickets

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - AGM to appoint four representatives from the
league as delegation to meet with head of
Tower Hamlets leisure/greenspace and/or other council officials to ensure Pitch
2 is repaired in time for season.

Amendment proposed by Gary Horsman, seconded by Mark Laurie, to read:
AGM to appoint four representatives from the league as delegation to meet with
head of Tower Hamlets leisure/greenspace and/or other council officials to
DISCUSS STATE OF PITCHES AND FACILITIES.

- [Pacific] - If in the cup & only in the cup if a match is tied with scores
level, then whoever has lost least wickets is
declared the winner. If this is equal, then a bowl out will take place. Five
players will each bowl 2 balls at unguarded
stumps. If the scores are still the level then the 6th player, then 7th & 8th if
required. Then the 1st again etc until a
winner is determined. NB if conditions are not condusive ie too dark, then the
same sides may come back to do this on
another date but BEFORE the next round match is due & this can take place in the
nets.
(Explanatory note - last year we had two tied games - one in the league, Norfolk
& Chance v Vallance Bow, where the points were shared, and one in the Cup,
Goodmayes v Tower Ravens. Because we had no rule for tied Cup games, the match
was replayed the following week, with Goodmayes winning the rematch.)

Seconded by Alastair Dunning, carried 12 for, 1 against.

8.6 League positions

(Note: These motions amend Rule 20: "In the event of two or more teams tying on
points at the top of the league after
all matches are played, the league championship title shall be shared.")

- [Pacific] - Final League positions to be determined to same criteria as in
conference first round matches.
(The criteria is as follows:
Where points are level between teams at the end of the first phase the following
are the determining factors:
1. The result of the game between the relevant sides
2. The amount of wins achieved
3. The result against the team who comes 1st; if still the same then 2nd, then
3rd etc until a difference is noted
4. If still the same, the toss of a coin UNLESS the teams involved wished to
arrange a play off or bowl out.)

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - Final League Position: When teams finish the season
level on points, either:
a. There should be a final deciding match.
b. their average team run total should be taken into account when determining
the winner.
c. The league should be shared.

Neither motion carried - status quo prevails

8.7 Cup competition

- [Pacific] - Amendment to eligibility of players in cup comp. This self
regulating rule should be adapted as cup
matches can take place after only 1 game (Masiha last year) so change it to any
bona fide club member - clubs to
send list of players to Sec - OR any one who has played a league game for the
club within the last 12 months remains
eligible. Non league clubs are not restricted & remain unaffected.
[Note: this is a change to Rule 15: "A player shall not play for a side in the
Cup unless they have previously
represented that side in the League during the current season. In addition, Cup
teams cannot field any players who
have played for other Victoria Park Community Cricket League sides during the
season."

- [Pacific] - Non league clubs can enter cup for 2 consecutive years. Currently
1 year. Unless joining the league.
[Note: this a change to Constitutional Rule 18: "Non-league teams may play in
the Cup, but only with a view to joining
the league the following season. A non-league team which plays in the Cup and
which does not join the league the
following year will be excluded from that year's Cup tournament. In other words,
a non-league team cannot play two
successive years in the Cup."]

Seconded by Tim Castle. Carried 10 for, 2 against, 2 abstentions.

8.8 Notification of results

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - Where neither team informs secretary of result of
a game within five days: for league
games, both teams will be given zero points; for cup games, neither team will
progress to the next round and a bye will
be given to their next round opponents.
(This amends Rule 16: "The Administration Secretary must be informed of results
within 5 days of a game.")

(These motions amend Rule 4: "All matches will be played between 6pm and 9pm.
Games are to start no later than
6:30 pm. No team may commence a game with fewer than 5 players. Any team not
ready to commence by 6:30 pm
forfeits the toss. In April and August games must start no later than 6:15 pm,
and any team not ready to start by 6:15
pm forfeits the toss.")

- [Pacific] - That declarations are permissible as an alternative to reducing
overs from the start. Currently the laws do
not allow this & any game where this occurs should currently be recorded as no
result.

Seconded by Caledonian Conquerors. Carried 12 for, 1 against

- [Pacific] - More earlier start times. Matches scheduled prior to 14th May 2007
commence at 6pm or the
recommended reduced overs to be considered by the Captains. August remains as
now except The Cup Final should
start 30 mins earlier than the scheduled time for a league game unless prior
agreement reached.

Not seconded, motion failed

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary] - For matches before mid-May and after mid-August:
Games starting at 6pm, max 16 overs
each; at 6:15 pm, max 14 overs; at 6:30 pm, max 12 overs; at 6:45 pm, max 10
overs. Overs per bowler to be reduced
pro rata.
(Clarifications: 14 overs: max 4 overs for 2 bowlers, max 3 for two others; 12
overs: max 3 overs per bowler; 10 overs:
max 3 overs for two bowlers, max 2 overs for two others. For 2007 the relevant
dates would be before May 14 and after
August 17)

Not seconded, motion failed

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - Start Times: All matches should start no later than
6.15. Teams arriving five minutes late will
be deducted 10 runs for every five minutes up until 6.30 when they will be
liable to forfeiture of the match.

Not seconded, motion failed

8.10 Match Officials

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - That there be an official of the league present at
the start of each session to arbitrate as to
the playability of the ground.

Withdrawn by Mark Laurie

8.11 White balls, white kit

- [Pacific] White Balls. Introduce as experiment. Each team to be allocated 1
ball for 1st phase league game. To be
pre-noted in fixtures so dark attire can be worn legitimately.
(This amends Rule 10: "The team named first on the fixture list will supply the
match ball. Red balls will be provided by
the League at the beginning of the season.")

Seconded by Stefan Proud. Not carried, 3 for, 12 against

- [Pacific] - All team reps & club officials must be aware that in matches with
red balls, all players but in particular the
bowlers must wear white or light colour or the Captain must not let them bowl.
This applies to BOTH shirt & bottoms.
Also a reminder of no metal spikes. NB the Captain is responsible for the
conduct & attire of his players.
[Secretary suggests this motion should read: Amend Rule 9 to "All teams are
expected to play in white clothing. In
particular, in matches with red balls, bowlers must wear white or a light colour
or the Captain must not let them bowl.
Metal spiked shoes must not be worn by bowlers or batsmen"]
(Note Rule 9: All teams are expected to play in white clothing. Rule 12: Team
captains are responsible for the sporting
conduct of their players.)

- [Pacific] - Fees for teams in the cup. This has been set arbitrarily as £25
per team per round payable in advance or
on the day. Can the treasurer or the meeting attendees confirm at what rate they
should be charged ?

Agreed that there should be a fixed rate for each Cup round

- [Caledonian Conquerors] - Pay at the AGM .....you don’t pay, you don’t play,
....end of story
extraordinary dispensation may be given, and then only at the committees
discretion for one calendar month after the
AGM. Still no payment after that your team is disqualified from the VPCCL for 2
seasons. League and Cup...

Withdrawn by Red Saunders

(Note: Constitutional Rule 10: The annual subscription for all teams in the
League shall be determined by the General
Committee and be confirmed at a General League Meeting. A proportion, to be
decided by the General Committee, of
the subscription shall become due on March 1st, with the balance due on April
15. Teams who have not paid their
subscriptions in full by April 15 will not be allowed to take part in the League
or Cup Competitions.")

8.13 Child Protection

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - Child Protection. That appropriate arrangements are
made to ensure that under 18s playing in
the league are safeguarded according to current legislation.

Seconded by Stan Foley, carried unanimously. Steve Hill said this was a
obligation on all teams, includes requirements for under-18s to wear helmets
while batting, not field close to wicket etc.

8.14 Scoring

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - Disposable Score Boards: We propose that three light
weight score boards are purchased. (ie
cricket supplies.com for £100-£150) This will mean a supplement of £15-£20 being
charged per club. The boards to be
stored in the changing rooms and accessed before each game)

Not seconded, motion failed.

8.15 The League

- [Pacific] - League Expansion. That the League consider extending the
boundaries beyond Victoria Park as its
popularity grows if appropriate.
NB saturation point of 3 games per weekday from
end of April to mid August will be
reached when 24 league teams are signed up. In the current structure, this would
mean THREE conferences of 8 teams
followed by FOUR divisions which equals 11 matches per team. With a maximum of
32 teams too in the cup teams will
get at least 1 extra cup game but vacant dates or replay dates will be in very
limited supply given also the VP Juniors
have priority booking as in 2006. It may therefore, be worth polling the teams
to see where teams' positions lie. From
those who will not consider playing elsewhere under any circumstances to those
who could host all their matches.
Assuming that not all teams come into the former category, then the league would
be able to undertake a gradual
expansion. Alternative grounds for consideration are (all artificial):-
Millwall, Hackney Downs, Lea Bridge Rd., Wray
Crescent.

Seconded by Stan Foley. Not carried, 2 for, 10 against, 2 abstentions.
Suggested that League try to get more pitches installed at Victoria Park before
considering expanding to other locations.

8.16 Trophies

(Note - the following motions appears to be covered by Rule 19 of the
Constitution: "Teams must respect the trophies
they have won & ensure they are looked after. The trophies must be fully
engraved and when requested by the
Committee must be returned on time. Failure of any team to ensure this could
result in their expulsion.")

- [Pacific] - Trophies to be presented when required OR handed over to League
official before required.

8.17 The AGM
(Note: Constitutional Rule 11: "The AGM of the League shall be held by 29th
February. The Hon. Secretary shall give
14 days clear notice to all teams entitled to attend"

- [Victoria Park Juniors] - We propose that next year’s AGM be held this year.

Seconded by Iain Heaphy. Not carried, 3 for, 10 against.

- [Old Fallopians/Secretary]: Amend the date in Rule 11 to 12th March, to avoid
clashes with half term, and to make
rule conform with recent practice.

Seconded by Steve Hill. Carried unanimously.

8.18 Bonus Points
(Note: Amends Rule 13: “Two points are awarded for a win: one point for a tie or
"no result".”

- [Tower Ravens] - Bonus points awarded to both the winning and losing teams
dependent upon their batting/bowling performance.
These points will be in addition to the points earned by winning the match
itself. In addition to making the league more exciting this would also reduce
the likelihood of teams finishing on the same points at the end of the season.

Not seconded, motion failed.

9 - Any other business

Jonathan Stebbins proposed the league ask for a fourth pitch at Victoria
Park.

Nigel Richards confirmed that all teams in arrears had paid their debts at
the AGM, with the exception of Phoenix (Newham), who are not playing this
summer.

Peter Hollman suggested it would be good to organise a prize giving event at
the end of the season.

8 - Election of officers

All existing members were re-elected, with the exception of Rob Devaney, who
submitted his resignation via Gary Horsman. Gary Horsman was elected in his
place.